Many complain of my reserve to this day, but then some girls expect
too much from a man. We all have our shortcomings. Even then,
however, I was not so shy as she. We had to travel from Lyndhurst
in the New Forest to Ventnor, an awkward bit of cross-country work
in those days.
"It's so fortunate you are going too," said her aunt to me on the
Tuesday; "Minnie is always nervous travelling alone. You will be
able to look after her, and I shan't be anxious.
I said it would be a pleasure, and at the time I honestly thought
it. On the Wednesday I went down to the coach office, and booked
two places for Lymington, from where we took the steamer. I had not
a suspicion of trouble.
The booking-clerk was an elderly man. He said--
"I've got the box seat, and the end place on the back bench."
I said--
"Oh, can't I have two together?"
He was a kindly-looking old fellow. He winked at me. I wondered
all the way home why he had winked at me. He said--
"I'll manage it somehow."
I said--
"It's very kind of you, I'm sure.
He laid his hand on my shoulder. He struck me as familiar, but
well-intentioned. He said--
"We have all of us been there."
I thought he was alluding to the Isle of Wight.
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